Friday

Massachusetts ranks third in the nation the number of anti-Semitic incidents so far in 2017, a number that the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) says is up 44 percent from 2016.

The ADL states there were 117 incidents of harassment, vandalism, and school incidents as well as threats made against Jewish institutions between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, according to their Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents released on Nov. 2.

“Anti-Semitism is sadly becoming a daily reality for thousands of Massachusetts residents. When hate hits 58 cities and towns, all of us have a responsibility to step up and take action,” ADL New England Regional Director Robert Trestan stated in a press release. “The dramatic surge in incidents underscores the pressing need for increased anti-bias education programming in schools. As bigotry continues to seep into everyday life it is critical that we focus our efforts on the youngest members of the community. None of us can afford to stand idly by.”

In Massachusetts, 22 communities reported multiple incidents. The majority of these incidents, 31, were school-based, and total more than were received in all of 2016.

The ADL started counting and reporting anti-Semitic incidents in the United States in 1979.

Here is a look at the state-by-state incidents for the first nine months of 2017.